Two for the Lions: A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery, Book 10

Nothing's certain except death and taxes. Catching tax evaders for Emperor Vespasian looks like a plum position for Marcus Didius Falco, who has teamed up with his old boss, Anacrites, the crotchety chief spy of Rome. Soon, however, Falco is bogged down in bureaucracy, stuck at his stylus, and longing for a good murder to investigate. He gets one when someone kills Leonidas, the empire's official executioner.

A Body in the Bathhouse: A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery, Book 13

Some things never change. With his new villa, Falco also gets a timeless headache: building contractors. After the departure of two shady plasterers, a rank odor in the bathhouse soon leads to the discovery of a corpse under the mosaic floor. Should Falco follow the culprits to remote Britannica? Despite the British weather (damp), the inhabitants (barbarians), and the wine (second-rate), Falco takes his whole family and goes. In veritas, Falco has another, secret reason for this exodus.

Venus In Copper

In the heyday of the Roman Empire, a small accounting error has left Marcus Didius Falco sharing a cell with a large rat. But the Empire's most hard-done-by investigator is finally bailed out, and promptly accepts a commission to help a family of freed slaves fend off a professional bribe.... A third instalment of the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries set in first century Rome, starring Anton Lesser.

The Ides of April

Flavia Albia is the adopted daughter of Marcus Didius Falco and Helena Justina. From her mother, she learned how to blend in at all levels of society; from her father, she learned the tricks of their mutual professional trade. But her wits and (frequently) sharp tongue are hers alone. Now, working as a private informer in Rome during the reign of Domitian, Flavia has taken over her father’s old ramshackle digs at Fountain Court in the Surbura district, where she plies her trade with energy, determination, and the usual Falco luck.

The Silver Pigs (Dramatised)

One fine day, A.D. 70, Sosia Camillina quite literally runs into Marcus Didius Falco on the steps of the Forum. It seems Sosia is on the run from a couple of street toughs, and after a quick and dirty rescue, P.I. Falco wants to know why.

First published in 2001, American Gods became an instant classic, an intellectual and artistic benchmark from the multiple-award-winning master of innovative fiction, Neil Gaiman. Now discover the mystery and magic of American Gods in this 10th anniversary edition. Newly updated and expanded with the author's preferred text, this commemorative volume is a true celebration of a modern masterpiece by the one, the only, Neil Gaiman.

Michael says:"New to Neil"

Publisher's Summary

The Iron Hand of Mars sees Falco being dispatched to one of the most hostile parts of the Empire to deliver a new standard, an iron hand, to one of the legions. Germania is cold, wet, dismal, and full of dark forests inhabited by bloodthirsty barbarians, but Falco has an even bigger problem to worry about: he has forgotten Helena Justina's birthday, and she is being pursued by the Emperor's son Titus Caesar. As Falco makes his way through dangerous territory, he encounters the aftermath of a grisly crime, investigates the case of a missing legate, gets into trouble with a centurion, and has a fateful encounter with a Celtic priestess and a giant bull.

I have read and re-read the books, and now am having fun listening to them on audio. Great narration! These novels have a little bit of something for everyone- they're good mysteries, they're an interesting look at the Roman Empire, and the main character is funny. Smart, but also light and entertaining. So far there has only been one book in the series I haven't absolutely loved.

I loved the dramatized Iron Hand of Mars. It was full of life and the voices were so distinct that it was easy to tell who was who. The scene sounds were good and made descriptions unnecessary. It was fast moving while keeping the essence of the story and its humour.

What other book might you compare The Iron Hand of Mars (Dramatised) to and why?

The Didius Falco stories are delightful. Falco is such an interesting character with a dry sense of humour. Each story has new twists and turns.

Valerio Massimo Manfredi writes on similar themes, as does Umberto Eco. Great stuff you can get your teeth into!

Which scene was your favorite?

The story is littered with interesting scenes as it twists and turns. Each book is not only a complete story in itself but also adds a little to Falco's private life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

As a short yet engrossing radio play of under 3 hrs, it was easy to listen to in one sitting. The only issue was the frequent pre- and post- titles with each track - packaged for the radio episodes. I didn't need to know every 20 minutes who the actors were.

Any additional comments?

If the story was available as a narrated audiobook, I would've chosen to listen to that instead but the radio-play made a delightful way to fill in the gaps in the Falco series.

This is one of the very good series of BBC produced dramatisations of Lindsey Davis novels. Murder, intrigue, mystery set in the Roman Empire of Vespasian. It features Marcus Didius Falco, private investigator, who is ‘persuaded’ to take on a dangerous, secret task for the Emperor. Really he is the put upon little man from the lower orders of Roman society, knocked about by more powerful forces, and although battered and bloodied, uses all his street wise savvy to come through against the odds - and gets the girl.

It has a nice balance between sinister with a bit of tongue in cheek. Quips and black humour throughout. But for all that the validity of plot, atmosphere and pace is well maintained.

The quality of presentation is very high – as you come to expect from BBC products. The lead roles, and especially Anton Lesser (who is one of my favourite voices) as Falco, were excellent. Some of the other parts were a little cardboard and the gay barber part was camp cliché.

All in all though, a very enjoyable listen. I would recommend anyone to this story and to others in the series.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

tubbydaddy

Pontefract UK

12/17/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"BBC radio 4 do it again"

Lessing and Madeley are excellent as Falco and Helena. The adaptation of the original book is well done and the whole seems to have high production values. Well worth owning.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Patricia Walker

UK

7/10/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Love this series"

Love these dramatisations and am disappointed that only 5 were made. I have listened to them all several times and never tire of Anton Lesser' s portrayal of Marcus Didius Falco. The story is well written and Lindsay Duncan brings Ancient Rome to life.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Jak

Halifax, United Kingdom

4/13/13

Overall

"Exciting"

The tales of Falco and his on/off love with Helena are exciting, funny and sometimes sexy. This particular tale also has a gay interest, admittedly Lindsey Davis has conformed to the usual old stereotypes and even though this would normally irritate me, I don't mind too much because the rest of the story is so good. The gay character is a bit like John Inman in Are You Being Served. So come on, Lindsey, let's keep up to date!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Pippa

UK

2/26/13

Overall

"Lightweight but good fun"

This is probably my least favourite of the Marcus Didius stories, but it was still a great dramatisation and well worth listening to.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Report Inappropriate Content

If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.